This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Sponsored by DraftStreetProjected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Braves (Paul Maholm - L) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez - R), 7:05 PM
Reds (Homer Bailey - R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann - R), 7:05 PM
Blue Jays (Josh Johnson - R) at Yankees (Ivan Nova - R), 7:05 PM
Cubs (Scott Feldman - R) at Marlins (Wade LeBlanc - L), 7:10 PM
Astros (Erik Bedard - L) at Red Sox (Ryan Dempster - R), 7:10 PM
Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R) at Mets (Dillon Gee - R), 7:10 PM
Indians (Scott Kazmir - L) at Royals (Ervin Santana - R), 8:10 PM
Rangers (Justin Grimm - R) at Twins (Scott Diamond - L), 8:10 PM
Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R) at White Sox (Jake Peavy - R), 8:10 PM
Pirates (Jonathan Sanchez - L) at Cardinals (Lance Lynn - R), 8:15 PM
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy - R), 9:40 PM
Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L) at Athletics (Tommy Milone - L), 10:05 PM
Brewers (Hiram Burgos - R) at Dodgers (Josh Beckett - R), 10:10 PM
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Padres (Andrew Cashner - R), 10:10 PM
Angels (C.J. Wilson - L) at Mariners (Aaron Harang - R), 10:10 PM
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Justin Verlander, P, DET - (Thumb) Left Thursday's start with a blister on his right thumb but manager Jim Leyland said it should not affect his next start.
Matt Adams, 1B, STL - (Oblique) Evaluated Thursday with hopes of returning this weekend against Pittsburgh.
Jonathon Niese, P, NYM - (Ankle) Threw his regular between-starts bullpen session Thursday.
Tommy Hanson, P, LAA - (Personal) Will not necessarily jump back into the rotation right away upon his removal from the bereavement list Monday.
Al Alburquerque, P, DET - (Hip) Experienced tightness while pitching during Wednesday's game.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS - (Back) Will not return to the lineup until he is "symptom-free," according to manager John Farrell.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, NYY - (Back) Missed a fifth straight game Thursday.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TB - (Hamstring) Ruled out for Friday.
Players on the DL
Chad Billingsley, P, LAD - (Elbow) Underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday.
Jonny Venters, P, ATL - (Elbow) Set to begin light throwing Tuesday.
Shawn Tolleson, P, LAD - (Back) Underwent surgery Thursday.
Chris Capuano, P, LAD - (Calf) Threw a bullpen session Wednesday and appears on track to be activated from the DL when he's eligible May 3.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS - (Hamstring) Could be sent out on a rehab assignment by early next week.
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, MIA - (Elbow) Marlins are optimistic he will be able to come off the DL when first eligible May 2.
Henderson Alvarez, P, MIA - (Shoulder) Will throw a simulated game Saturday.
Casey Kotchman, 1B, MIA - (Hamstring) Still a few weeks away from returning to the lineup.
Logan Morrison, OF, MIA - (Knee) Could begin playing in rehab games May 10.
Matt Garza, P, CHC - (Arm) Will still pitch in a game this week despite being scratched from Wednesday's rehab start with soreness.
Todd Helton, 1B, COL - (Wrist) Has been prescribed rest for the next four or five days to reduce the risk of further inflammation.
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE - (Finger) Hopes to resume baseball activities this weekend but still might need a short rehab assignment before rejoining the team.
Kevin Jepsen, P, LAA - (Shoulder) Headed to Arizona for extended spring training but not expected to throw until sometime next week.
Avisail Garcia, OF, DET - (Heel) Will begin a rehab assignment Thursday.
John Lackey, P, BOS - (Biceps) Threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Thursday and is still on track to start Sunday against the Astros.
Justin Maxwell, OF, HOU - (Hand) Expected to miss about four weeks.
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA - (Hamstring) Diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is expected to miss two-to-three weeks.
Cole De Vries, P, MIN - (Forearm) Will make a start in an extended spring training game Friday.
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA - (Heel) Will likely require at least one more rehab game at extended spring training before coming off the DL.
Out
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR - (Personal) Placed on the paternity list Thursday.
Transactions
Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Todd Helton, 1B, COL
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (paternity list)
Activated from the DL
Adam Rosales, 2B, OAK
Called Up
Zach Britton, P, BAL
Brad Lincoln, P, TOR
Barry Enright, P, LAA
Ryan Wheeler, 3B, COL
Ryan Lavarnway, C, BOS
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
David Carpenter, P, LAA
Josh Stinson, P, BAL
Alfredo Aceves, P, BOS
Andy Parrino, SS, OAK
Ramon Ortiz, P, TOR
Duane Below, P, MIA
Claimed Off Waivers
Duane Below, P, MIA (from DET)
Closer Watch
Pittsburgh - Left-hander Tony Watson worked the final two innings against Philadelphia on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one, to earn his first save of the season. Jason Grilli, who's leading the majors with nine saves and has still not allowed a run in 11 appearances this season, was unavailable after having pitched Tuesday and Wednesday. Make no mistake about it; Grilli has a firm hold on the ninth-inning job, but Watson will likely continue to get save chances when they present themselves on days following back-to-back appearances by Grilli.
Chicago Cubs - Manager Dale Sveum was seemingly undeterred by Carlos Marmol's second blown save of the season Tuesday, as he turned to Marmol again to close out Thursday's 4-3 win over Miami. Marmol, like he's known to do, made things interesting by giving up a walk and a hit to begin the bottom of the ninth inning, but he was able to retire the next three batters and earn his second save of the season. While it looks like Marmol will continue to get save chances over James Russell and Shawn Camp while Kyuji Fujikawa (forearm) is out, the Cubs' late-inning situation is volatile, and will likely remains so until Fujikawa returns.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Upton - OF | ATL @ DET 4/26 7:05 PM | Anibal Sanchez | 4-10 | .400 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .900 | .400 | 1.300 | |||||||
Mike Napoli - C | BOS vs HOU 4/26 7:10 PM | Erik Bedard | 3-15 | .200 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | .600 | .368 | .968 | |||||||
David Wright - 3B | NYM vs PHI 4/26 7:10 PM | Kyle Kendrick | 8-26 | .308 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .538 | .345 | .883 | |||||||
Alejandro De Aza - OF | CWS vs TB 4/26 8:10 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 5-12 | .417 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .667 | .417 | 1.083 | |||||||
Adam Dunn - 1B | CWS vs TB 4/26 8:10 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 7-22 | .318 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 8 | .591 | .348 | .939 | |||||||
Paul Konerko - 1B | CWS vs TB 4/26 8:10 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 8-22 | .364 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 | .682 | .545 | 1.227 | |||||||
Alexei Ramirez - SS | CWS vs TB 4/26 8:10 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 6-21 | .286 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | .476 | .375 | .851 | |||||||
Miguel Tejada - SS | KC vs CLE 4/26 8:10 PM | Scott Kazmir | 11-28 | .393 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | .607 | .455 | 1.062 | |||||||
James Loney - 1B | TB @ CWS 4/26 8:10 PM | Jake Peavy | 7-25 | .280 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .600 | .308 | .908 | |||||||
Ty Wigginton - 3B | STL vs PIT 4/26 8:15 PM | Jonathan Sanchez | 4-11 | .364 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .545 | .462 | 1.007 | |||||||
Albert Pujols - 1B | LAA @ SEA 4/26 10:10 PM | Aaron Harang | 20-66 | .303 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 5 | .606 | .324 | .930 | |||||||
Yuniesky Betancourt - 2B | MIL @ LAD 4/26 10:10 PM | Josh Beckett | 7-16 | .438 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .813 | .471 | 1.283 | |||||||
Nick Hundley - C | SD vs SF 4/26 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 6-19 | .316 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | .632 | .409 | 1.041 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Paul Maholm | ATL @ DET 4/26 7:05 PM | Tigers Batters | 14-86 | .163 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 21 | .254 | .247 | .501 | |||||||
Kyle Kendrick | PHI @ NYM 4/26 7:10 PM | Mets Batters | 16-78 | .205 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 5 | .326 | .259 | .584 | |||||||
Erik Bedard | HOU @ BOS 4/26 7:10 PM | Red Sox Batters | 14-92 | .152 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 26 | .303 | .299 | .602 | |||||||
Ervin Santana | KC vs CLE 4/26 8:10 PM | Indians Batters | 15-105 | .143 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 26 | .311 | .277 | .588 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prince Fielder - 1B | DET vs ATL 4/26 7:05 PM | Paul Maholm | 6-48 | .125 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 15 | .125 | .192 | .317 | |||||||
Omar Infante - 2B | DET vs ATL 4/26 7:05 PM | Paul Maholm | 0-10 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |||||||
Jonny Gomes - OF | BOS vs HOU 4/26 7:10 PM | Erik Bedard | 4-23 | .174 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | .304 | .321 | .626 | |||||||
Dustin Pedroia - 2B | BOS vs HOU 4/26 7:10 PM | Erik Bedard | 1-14 | .071 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .071 | .188 | .259 | |||||||
Rick Ankiel - OF | HOU @ BOS 4/26 7:10 PM | Ryan Dempster | 2-16 | .125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .125 | .125 | .250 | |||||||
Daniel Murphy - 2B | NYM vs PHI 4/26 7:10 PM | Kyle Kendrick | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .300 | .273 | .573 | |||||||
Ruben Tejada - SS | NYM vs PHI 4/26 7:10 PM | Kyle Kendrick | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .200 | .400 | |||||||
Michael Brantley - OF | CLE @ KC 4/26 8:10 PM | Ervin Santana | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .300 | .200 | .500 | |||||||
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS | CLE @ KC 4/26 8:10 PM | Ervin Santana | 2-19 | .105 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .211 | .227 | .438 | |||||||
Jason Giambi - 1B | CLE @ KC 4/26 8:10 PM | Ervin Santana | 2-18 | .111 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | .222 | .333 | .556 | |||||||
Nick Swisher - OF | CLE @ KC 4/26 8:10 PM | Ervin Santana | 6-33 | .182 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 14 | .394 | .308 | .702 | |||||||
Alex Rios - OF | CWS vs TB 4/26 8:10 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 6-29 | .207 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | .207 | .258 | .465 | |||||||
Alex Gordon - OF | KC vs CLE 4/26 8:10 PM | Scott Kazmir | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .300 | .273 | .573 | |||||||
Michael Cuddyer - OF | COL @ ARI 4/26 9:40 PM | Brandon McCarthy | 3-17 | .176 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .353 | .222 | .575 | |||||||
Chase Headley - 3B | SD vs SF 4/26 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 7-24 | .292 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 | .500 | .333 | .833 | |||||||
Will Venable - OF | SD vs SF 4/26 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 7-28 | .250 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | .357 | .276 | .633 | |||||||
Raul Ibanez - OF | SEA vs LAA 4/26 10:10 PM | C.J. Wilson | 3-21 | .143 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | .333 | .217 | .551 | |||||||
Brendan Ryan - SS | SEA vs LAA 4/26 10:10 PM | C.J. Wilson | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .200 | .250 | .450 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Roberto Hernandez | TB @ CWS 4/26 8:10 PM | White Sox Batters | 33-112 | .295 | 4 | 13 | 23 | 12 | 30 | .496 | .386 | .881 | |||||||
Aaron Harang | SEA vs LAA 4/26 10:10 PM | Angels Batters | 22-72 | .306 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 7 | .614 | .352 | .966 | |||||||
Hiram Burgos, P, MIL - Burgos held the Cubs to one run on five hits over five innings in his first career start Saturday, and while he stuck out just one batter, he did not issue a walk. The right-hander may be sent down after Friday's outing, but Burgos could be a nice spot start for those in daily leagues, and he could earn more opportunities with another strong performance. Burgos' minor league numbers (7.1 K/9 at Triple-A Nashville) lend hope to his strikeout rate improving, and he'll get to oppose the 0-4 Josh Beckett in his return to the hill Friday. His first road start will be a late one at Dodger Stadium, but the Dodgers are just 3-7 in their last 10 games and were recently swept at home by the Padres, while the Brewers just rattled off nine straight wins before losing Wednesday.
Other Recent RecommendationsDidi Gregorius, Ricky Nolasco, Brandon Crawford and Lucas Duda
If you missed out on our recent free roll with DraftStreet, don't worry - we have another chance for you to take home some serious cash.
Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com today and start practicing. Remember to use bonus code Rotowire on your first deposit to get some extra cash released into your account as you play.
As a reminder, the competition will be an MLB Salary Cap league where values for each player are set based on projected fantasy value each day and your mission is to find the bargains and make the best 14 player team possible within the $100,000 budget.
Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.
DraftStreet Lineup
C: Wilin Rosario, COL ($7,399)
1B: Adam Dunn, CWS ($4,900)
2B: Ben Zobrist, TB ($6,539)
3B: David Wright. NYM ($10,466)
SS: Alcides Escobar, KC ($7,395)
OF: Bryce Harper, WAS ($10,135)
OF: Carlos Gomez, MIL ($7,639)
OF: Desmond Jennings, TB ($6,287)
UT: Michael Morse, SEA ($6,497)
SP: Ervin Santana, KC ($12,011)
SP: Hiram Burgos, MIL ($10,755)
P: Justin Grimm, TEX ($9,973)
Total: $99,996
Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com and start playing daily fantasy sports games today!